Jeanne Pace plays clarinet. She served in the Army for 43 years before retiring in 2015. Alan Herold, an Army veteran who retired in 2019, plays the euphonium and is in his first year with the band. Jennifer Fitzgerald, another Army veteran, has been retired since 1994 and is in her 23rd year.
Pace calls the band a great package deal. She says it mixes intellect, science and emotion, with a great conductor pulling everybody's experiences and talents together to entertain an audience.
For these veterans, the band is a way to bond with fellow service members. Herold says the group plays for service at times and for itself at other times. "The music we play tries to evoke memories and connections," he said. For Fitzgerald, expressing love for country and for soldiers' sacrifices feels great when everyone comes together. The concerts, Pace says, give people a time to reflect on those who came before them. The musicians also hope their playing encourages other veterans to find their own voices.